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> For starters: nature "invented" intelligence hundreds of millions of years ago with the evolution of neural nets, and it's a powerful adaptation that confers
by 6d0debc071 12y ago
> For starters: nature "invented" intelligence hundreds of millions of years ago with the evolution of neural nets, and it's a powerful adaptation that confers significant advantage. Why are we the only intelligence with our level of analytical capability on Earth?
Lots of animals seem to lack the ability to use fine tools and have limited vocal ranges that would make communication far more difficult. I'm inclined to question the 'significant advantage' part in its unqualified form.
- api 12y agoStrategic thinking, categorization, and the recognition of complex environmental patterns are among the abilities that would be very valuable even for mutes without opposable thumbs.
- 6d0debc071 12y agoThat sounds reasonable, but I'm not sure what those things translate into. Take something that's reasonably intelligent - a wolf for instance. How, for most of its evolutionary history, would being able to recognise complex environmental patterns, as a human would, have made it successful enough to offset the energy cost of doing so? What part of the energy of the system accessible with their abilities are they missing?